Group launches campaign against Water Resources Bill

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

A pressure group, Integration Summit Group-Nigeria, ISGN, has launched campaign against the Water Resources Bill 2020, demanding for abolition of the Bill in the interest of Nigerians.
It said that the Bill which had been stepped down by the National Assembly, was “fuelled not only by the burning desire of public good, but for sectional gains”.
The Convener of the Integration Summit Group-Nigeria, ISGN, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, said this in a Press release he issued on behalf of the group on Wednesday in Benin City.
Ekiyo, called on the leadership of the National Assembly to throw the Bill into a trashcan, alleging that the Bill is out to rub people of their legitimate means of livelihood particularly Nigerians reside in coastal Communities and depend on aquatic habitat to elke a living.
He wondered why the federal government should embark on a voyage wild goose chase haven failed in its statutory duties of providing safe drinking water for Nigerians, yet turn round to give tacit support to the proposed Bill aimed at taxing people who work hard to sink their own borehole.
“…We are worried that the Bill was designed to commercialize access to water by the government that has failed to provide water for the people.
“It is rather unfortunate from the provisions of the Water Resources Bill 2020, that the sponsors are yet to come to terms with the relevant cases decided by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which have upheld the exclusive powers of State governments over land use, physical planning and inland waterways in the coastal States”, he said.
Ekiyo also called on the federal government to ensure that the worries expressed by residents of the regions are not swept under the carpet as there are visible challenges arising from the nature of the Bill, impact and strategy.